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-(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 1.

. H. M. ABERNETHY. MECHANICAL SAFETY DEVICE FOR RAILWAY SWITCHES.

No. 596,100 Patented Dec. 28,1897.

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2 Shee tsSheet 2. H. M. ABERNETHY. MECHANICAL SAFETY DEVICE FOR RAILWAY SWITCHES.

Paented Dec. 28, 1897.

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I-IARRY M. ABERNETHY, OF ELMIRA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO'H. H. FULTON, F SAME PLACE.

MECHANICAL SAFETY DEVICE FOR RAILWAY-SWITCHES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 596,100, dated December 28, 1897.

Application filed January 6, 1897. Serial No. 618,204. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.- pointed out in the claims, reference being had Be it known that I, HARRY M. ABERNETHY, to the accompanying drawings, in whichacitizen of the United States, residing at El-. Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the mira, in the county of Ohemung and State of mechanism embodying my invention. Fig. 2

New York, have invented certain new and illustratesaplan view of myimproved switchuseful Improvements in Mechanical Safety stand, the mechanism connected thereto be- Devices for Railway-Switches; and I do deing removed. Fig. 3 is a side elevation'of the clare the following to be a full, clear, and exupper portion of the switch-stand. Fig.4 is

7 act description of the invention, such as will a view in side elevation of the switch-locking 1o enable others skilled in the art to which it apand signal-operating shaft. Fig. 5 is a side pertains to make and use the same, reference elevation of the switch-operating shaft, showbeing had to the accompanying drawings, and in g the operating handle or lever in its locked to the figures of reference marked thereon, position. Figs. 6 and 7 are views in crosswhioh form a part of this specification. section, taken on the lines x w and m m, re-

I 5 Myinvention relates toahigh combination spectively. Fig. 8 is a view illustrating in switch-stand connected with and so constructside elevation my improved means for locked and arranged as to interlock with a distant ing the switch-points and signal mechanism, or protecting signal by mechanical means. showing in cross-section the main or stock The prime object of my invention is to so rails'and switch-points. Fig. 9 represents a 20 interlock a high combination switch-stand plan view of myimproved locking-bar. Fig. with aswitchand distant or protecting safety- 10 is a side elevation of the locking-dog; Fig. signal by certain improved mechanism that 11, an end elevation of the same; Fig. 12, a it will be impossible for the switchman to open plan View of the rod leading to and connected the switch until after he has placed the diswith the locking-dog; Fig. 13, a plan view of 25 taut signal to indicate danger. a portion of the switch-connecting rod, and

Another object is to render it impossible Fig. 14 is a plan View of a portion of the for the switch-operator to make the proteotswitch-operating lever and means for coning-sigual indicate safety until he has not necting the same with the switch-operating only closed the switch, but the points of the arm and shaft.

3o switch must be moved to their proper position Similar numerals of reference indicate the in respect to the main-line tracks, so that if same parts in the several figures of the drawany of the connections between the switchings. stand and the switch should be disconnected Referring bynuinerals to the accompanying or broken or any obstruction accidentally drawings,1indicates the hollowbodyor frame 3 5 rest between the switch-point and the mainof the switch-stand, the base portion forming line track which might result in the points achamber to receive and protect certain parts not being brought up to their proper place of themechanismhereinafterdescribed. The the signal would still indicate danger. exterior of the base maybe of any desirable A further object of my invention is to proshape or configuration and is designed to rest 4o vide improved means for securely holding on two ties or sills at either side of the main- 0 and locking the switch-points in position and line or track rails 2 2 at the same time serve as a medium for in- The stand is provided with two independsuring againstthe spreading of the stockent vertical shafts, the solid switch-operating rails, which has been found to be of frequent shaft 3 rotating within the hollow shaft 4:, the

5 occurrence, said locking means being applied portions 5 5 of the switch-stand serving as 5 at or near the extreme points of the switch. bearings for said hollow shaft and to center The foregoing and such other objects as and retain the same in a true upright posim'ay occur from the ensuing description are tion, whilethe casting 6, secured to the upaccomplished by'thev mechanism more fully per part of shaft 4 and a suitable annular 50 described hereinafter and more particularly projection in the lower inner portion of said too shaft 4-, serves in the same capacity for the shaft 3.

As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the upper portion of the stand is provided with a flange 8, which fiange is projected to a greater distance from the body of the stand, at each side thereof, and is slotted to form an opening 8 between the two laterally-extended wings or projections 9 9', the wings or projections 9 being provided with vertical projections or extensions 10, the latter serving as stops for the operating-levers 11 11 Fig. 1, while the opening 8 receives each of said levers when the same are in their normal or locked position. The upper portion of each of the projections is provided with a horizontal slot 12 12 and a strengthening-rib 13 13.

The casting (3, which is firmly secured to the upper part of the hollow shaft, is provided with a lateral extension 14, having a perforation near its outer end to receive a suit able bolt for securing thereto the operatinglever 11 and said lateral extension is provided intermediate of its length with a lug or vertically-projected portion 15, having a strengtheningrib 16, said projected portion being integral with or firmly secured to the said lateral extension of the casting and serving as a stop for the switch-operating lever.

Secured to the upper portion of the solid switclroperating shaft and resting upon the upper surface of the aforesaid casting 6 is a casting 6, provided with an arm or lateral extension 17, normally resting above and in line with the arm let, but projecting laterally slightly beyond the latter, said arm 17 being bifurcated or slotted at 17 so as to receive one end of the operating-lever 11, and provided with a perforation near its outer end to receive a T-headed bolt for the purpose of securing the said lever in the slotted or bifurcated portion 17 of the arm 17. The upper or end portion of said lever 11 is perforated at 18 to receive the hasp of a padlock or other suitable lock for safely securing or looking said lever in the position shown by full lines in Fig. 1.

By reference to Fig. 14 it will be seen that the operating-lever 11 is so secured by a pin or set-screw 19 to the T-headed bolt 19 that when the said lever is caused to assume the position shown in said figure the end 20 of the T-headed bolt will register with the slot 12 in one of the projections 10, thereby permitting said portion 20 to pass through the slot and behind the projection 10 and allow the lever to be secured to the said projection when the lever assumes the position shown in Fig. 5; but when the lever is made to assume the position shown in Fig. 14 the end 20 of the T-bolt will register with the slot in the projection and permit the lever and the switch-operating shaft to be rotated until the extension 17 contacts with the projection 10 on the opposite side of the stand. Assuming the lever 11 to be in the position shown in full lines, Fig. 14, and by dotted lines, Fig. 1, the

end 20 of the T-headed bolt will always register with and be in a position to pass through the slot 12 in the projection 10. Hence the end 20 of the bolt will have passed through said slot when the extension 17 contacts with said projection, and as soon as the lever 11 is allowed to drop to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 5 the said end 20 of the T-bolt will assume a position at right angles to the slot, as shown in Fig. 5, and thus secure said lever to the projection 10 and prevent any rotary swing of said lever 11 until the lever is caused to assume a position in ahorizontal plane with the arm 17. (Indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1.)

To the upper part of the switch-operating rod or shaft is suitably secured a hollow casting or sleeve 21, which latter is suitably secured to the shaft 21 to the upper portion of which is secured the signal-targets and a signal lamp or lantern.

Within the chamber formed in the base portion of the switelrstand I secure in any suitable manner to the lower portion of each of the shafts 3 and 4- a double crank-arm 22 23, respectively, which crank-arms are provided with suitable perforations to receive a bolt for securing one end of an operating-rod thereto. The perforations in the double crank-arms are so arranged in respect to the shafts to which said arms are attached (see Figs. 6 and '7) that they alter or change the length of throw of the rods connected to said arms, thereby changin or altering the throw of the switch-points.

To one end of the double crank-arm 22 is so secured a rod 23 connected to the switch points 24 24 that regardless of the direction in which the switclroperating shaft is rotated the rod 23 will shift the position of the switchpoint, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

A rod 25 is connected at one end with the part 26 of the double crank-arm 23, said rod being curved outward or away from the crankarm, as shown at 27, Fig. 12, and then downward, as at 27 Figs. 1 and 8, in order to clear and avoid contact with any of the mechanism located within or leading to or from the base of the switch-stand. The other end of rod 25 is secured to the lower depending portion 29 of a locking-dog 29, which is pivoted to and supported by depending lugs or cars on a rod or bar 30, which latter extends entirely across and projects slightly beyond each of the stockrails, one end 30 of the bar being bent over upon and clamping the outer base-flange of one of the stock-rails, the other end of the bar having rigidly secured thereto a plate 31 for clamping the outer base-flange of the other stock-rail, thereby furnishing additional means for preventing the spreading of the rails at this point. The pivoted locking-dog is provided with a horizontal projection or extension 29 and an upper or projected portion 29 rounded or curved, as shown, (see Figs. 8 and 10,) which upper portion 29 is adapted to pass through the slot 30' in the bar 30 and to be elevated above or depressed below the surface of said bar through the medium of the connecting-rod 25 and its operative mechanism, thus serving to lock the switch-points in their proper position in respect to the stockrails and rendering it impossible to throw or shift the position of the switch-points until after the distant-signal lever has been thrown, which operation causes the locking-dog to drop below or on a line with the surface of the bar 30. WVhen the pivoted locking-dog is forced to assume the position shown in Figs. 1 and 8, the projection 29 contacts with the under side of the bar 30, thus limiting the upward movement of said dog. Connected to the other end of the double crank-arm 23 at the point marked 28 and leading therefrom and attached to a T-lever, to which latter is connected mechanism leading to the distant or protecting signal, is a rod 28 similar in every respect to the aforesaid connectingrod 25. l

The distant or protecting signal utilized in connection with my improved switch-stand and switch-locking mechanism is of the ordinary type or build, connection between the said signal and T-l'ever being made by the use of means commonly employed for operating such signals.

The lantern carried .by the rod 21 is of common form and indicates white on the two opposite sides and red on the other two sides. By the movement of the switchleVer this lamp is made to revolve or turn one-quarter-way around. This is accomplished by means of a slot cut in the casting that holds the rod 21 and the pin shown in the solid switch-operating shaft being able to move the last quarter of the throw without turning the light, the pin passing around in the slot, while the casting is stopped at a quarter-turn and held in this position by means of a lug which is cast or made a part of the switch-stand proper, but not shown in the drawings. The rod carrying the signal lantern and target may be of any desired height.

The operation of the hereinbefore described parts or mechanism may be best explained by reference to Fig. 1, showing the switch-points, the switch-stand, and the looking and other operative mechanism in normal or locked position for main-line trains, in which position the distant or protecting signal indicates safety. As illustrated by said Fig. 1, it will be seen that both of the operating-levers normally restin the opening formed by the wings or extensions on opposite sides of the switch-stand. Now when it is desired to set the switch for the siding the switch-operator, after removing the padlock at the upper end of the switch-controllin g lever, th rows.

this lever up into either of the positions shown in dotted lines but owing to the lug or projection in front and the projection 10 in the rear of said lever it is impossible to throw the switch-lever until after the distant-signal lever has been thrown, thus-getting this lug out of the way. The switch-lever having been caused to assume the position aforesaid, furnishing access to the switch-locking and signal-controlling lever, and the latter having been given a one-half rotation this movement through the medium of the connected mechanism causes the distant signal to indicate danger and simultaneously causes the pivoted locking-dog to drop to a plane below or on a level with the top of the bar supporting it. The switch-lever may now be thrown, which operation places the switch for the sid ing, both operating-levers dropping between the wings or extensions at opposite sides of the switch-stand, and one of the switch-points assumes a position directly over the top .of this pivoted dog, holding the latter in the position last stated. Itfollows that in order to make the distant signal again indicate safety the switch combination-lever must first be thrown around to its normal position, thus setting the switch for main-line trains. Then the distant signal and switch-locking controlling-lever may be brought back to the position shown in full lines. The switch-controlling lever must not only-move to its proper position, but the switch-point also must move to a safety position in respect to the stock-rail; otherwise the base-flange of the switch-rail will rest over the locking-dog and prevent the same from assuming the position shown, which operation is performed by bringing the distant signal to indicate safety. Thus it will be observed that the lug 15 maybe removed from the signal controlling mechanism, and it would still be impossible for the switchman to leave the signal in safety with the switchpoint at danger. It will also be readily perceived that if the lug on the signal-lever be dispensed with it would still be impossible for the switchman to place the switch for the.

sidingby reason of the locking-dog holding the switch-point flush or tight up to the mainlinerail.

It will therefore be understood that my high combination switch-stand is so interlocked as to render it impossible for the switchman to open the switch until after the distant signal has been made to indicate danger and to make it impossible to indicate safety ,un-

til the switch-stand is not only closed, but the switch points must also be moved to the proper place or safety position in respect to the stock-rails, so that if anything is disconnected or broken between the switch-stand and the switch, which might result in the switch-points not being brought up to their proper and safe position, the signal would in dicate danger.

It will be understood that I may resort to a slight departure from the exact details of construction hereinbefore referred toin connection with my improved devices without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim, and secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A railway-switch stand formed with a chamber in the base thereof, a partition separating the chamber from the upper portion of the stand, a plurality of wings or extensions integral with and projected from each side of its upper portion, said wings or extensions forming openings to receive and retain a plurality of operating-levers.

2. A switch-stand for railroads, comprising a hollow base, a hollow upright portion, bearings or guideways at the upper portion and near its base, a plurality of wings or extensions integral with and projected from each side of the upper part of said stand, and integral vertical extensions at each side of the stand projecting above the same and serving as a looking or securing medium for the switchoperating lever.

3. A switch-stand for railroads provided with switch and signal operating mechanisms, and having laterally-projected wings or extensions at opposite sides of the stand constructed and arranged to form openings to receive and retain the switch and signal oper ating levers.

4:. A switch-stand for railroads provided at its upper end with laterally-projected wings or extensions at each side thereof, and opposite vertical extensions, each vertical extension being provided with a horizontal slot, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. A safety device for railways, comprising a switch and switch-stand, switch-operating mechanism, a lever and rotary shaft, a double crank-arm secured to the lower part of said shaft, means connected to one end of the crank arm for operating a distant signal, means connected to the other end of the crank arm for locking or unlocking the switch, and means carried by the signal-lever for preventing the throw of the switch-lever until after the throw or movement of the sig nal-lever.

6. In a switch-stand, the combination of a lever and a rotating solid shaft for operating the switch, a hollow shaft for operating a distant signal and switch-point-locking mechanism, a lever for operating the said hollow shaft, and alug carried by the last-named lever serving as a stop for the switch-lever.

7. In a switch-stand, the combination of a lever and a rotating shaft for operating the switch, a shaft for operating a distant signal and locking means for the switch-points, a lug secured to the signal-operating lever serving as a stop to prevent the forward move- -ment of the switch-operating lever until after the movement of the signal-lever, and a vertical extension on the switch-stand to prevent the rearward or opposite movement of said switch-lever.

8. In combination with a switclrstand provided at its upper part with a plurality of in tcgral laterally-projected wings or extensions and integral vertical projected extensions at opposite sides thereof, of switch-operating mechanism, and mechanism for simultaneously operating both a distant signal and the means for looking or unlocking the switchpoints.

9. In a switch-stand, the combination of a lever and rotating shaft for operating both a distant signal and locking means for the switch-points, a double crank-arm secured to or forming a part of the lower end of said shaft, and a rod connected at one end to the crank-arm and at the other end to a switchpoint-locking dog.

1.0. In combination with a switch-stand, a lever and rotating shaft for operating a distant signal and locking means for the switchpoints, a double crank-arm rigidly secured to the lower part of said shaft, a rod for connect ing one crank-arm with the distant-signal mechanism, and a rod connecting the other crank-arm with a lockingdog at or near the extreme points of the switch-rails.

11. In combination with a switch-stand, dis tant signal, and switch-point-locking mechanism, a rod connected to a double crankarm within the switch-stand, said rod being bent outward from the crank-arm and inclined downward and leading away from said switch-stand.

12. A safety device for railroads, comprising a switch-stand and switelroperating and distant-signal-operating mechanisms, and a locking device for the switch-points, said locking device being supported and carried by a slotted bar secured to the stock-rails at or near the extreme point of the switch-rails.

13. In combination with a switch-stand having extensions projected vertically above the top of the stand, each of said projections being provided with a horizontal slot, a switchoperating lever, a T-headed bolt for pivoting said lever, one end of said bolt being adapted to pass through the slot and behind the vertical extension on the stand when the switchlever assumes a horizontal position, and said end of the bolt being caused to assume a position at right angles to the slot when the switch-lever rests in a vertical position, whereby said lever is secured to the vertical extension on the switch-stand.

14. In combination with a switch-stand, and switch and signal operating mechanisms, a bar secured to the stock-rails in advance of the switch-rod, said bar having a slot and depending lugs, and a locking-dog pivoted to said bar so as to be elevated above or depressed below or on a line with the surface of this bar for locking or unlocking the switchpoints.

15. In a safety device for railroads, a slotted bar secured to the stock-rails, one end of said bar being bent over upon the outer side of the base-flange of one of the stock-rails, and the other end of the bar having rigidly connected thereto a plate for clamping the outer side of the base-flange of the other stock-rail.

16. In a safety device for railroads, a slotted bar secured to the stock-rails having lugs depending therefrom, and a dog pivotally secured to said depending lugs, said dog being so pivoted as to be elevated above or depressed below or on a level with the uppersurface of the said bar.

17. In a safety device for railroads, a bar connected to the stock-rails, and a pivoted locking-dog carried by said bar, said dog consisting of a depending portion, an upper curved'portion, and a laterally-exten ded portion which latter portion rests against the under side of said bar forming a stop for the dog when the latter assumes the locking position.

18. In a switch-stand, the combination of a switch-operating shaft and lever, a distantsignal-operating shaft and lever and a vertically-extended lug carried by the last-named lever and forming a stop for the first-named lever, substantially as and for the purpose described.

19. The combination with a switch-stand, of a switch-operating shaft, a shaft for operating a distant signal and switch-point-locking mechanism, and double crank-arms connected to the lower portion of each of said shafts, substantially as shown and described.

20. In a switch-stand, the combination of a switch-operating shaft and lever, a distantsignal-operating shaft and lever, a double crank-arm secured to the lower part of the switch-operating shaft, and a'double crankarm connected. to the lower part of the signaloperating shaft, one double crank-arm being located above the other, but both double crank-arms normally resting in a position at right angles to their respective shafts.

21. In combination with a switch-stand and switch-operating shaft, of a casting secured to the upper portion of the shaft, said casting having a bifurcated or slotted extension, an operating-lever pivoted at or near one end of the said extension, and a T-headed bolt secured tosaid lever and adapted to turn therewith, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HARRY M. ABERNETHY.

Witnesses:

J. A. ABERNETHY, F. O. ABERNETHY. 

